Less than five years ago, the Colorado Rockies were atop the organizational food chain as the National League's representative in the 2007 World Series.
Carried by a fearsome lineup of both rising stars and cagey veterans, the Rockies could hit with any team in the league and had enough timely pitching to send them to the fall classic.
Key contributors from that team like Matt Holliday, Brad Hawpe and Jeff Francis have all departed, leaving Colorado without a playoff appearance since 2007.
The lineup remains strong for Colorado with Troy Tulowitzki, Carlos Gonzalez and Todd Helton still producing--but the pitching staff has not been able to come together in a notoriously friendly ballpark for hitters.
That could all change soon for the Rockies who last year fully committed to the rebuilding process, bringing in a number of highly regarded young arms via trade that could all contribute very soon.
The first move was getting two prized arms from Cleveland in Drew Pomeranz and Alex White for a disgruntled Ubaldo Jimenez, two hurlers who could both be a part of the 2012 rotation for the Rockies.
Colorado clearly wasn't content with adding just two arms to the mix, as they completed a trade for one of the Angels top pitching prospects Tyler Chatwood.
In that deal, the Rockies sent catcher Chris Iannetta to the Angels for Chatwood, another arm that will likely be a cog in the 2012 rotation.
It may take a few years for the group to hit their stride, but once they do Colorado may have one of the better young nucleaus in the league.
Here is a look at several players who Colorado is developing to be a big part of the Rockies future.
1. Drew Pomeranz (LHP)
*The key piece in the Ubaldo Jimenez trade with Cleveland, Pomeranz is a former first-rounder of the Indians who could be a front of the rotation starter in the future for Colorado.
Drafted out of the University of Mississippi, Pomeranz led the Southeastern Conference in ERA (2.21) and strikeouts (134) as a junior before being drafted.
His success continued last season in the minors, going a combined 4-3 with 1.78 ERA for three different minor league teams.
After being acquired by Colorado, Pomeranz pitched 10 scoreless innings in Triple-A which was enough to earn a promotion to the big leagues in September.
With the Rockies searching for pitching, look for Pomeranz to be a key factor in the rotation in 2012 and beyond.
2. Nolan Arenado (3B)
*Drafted by the Rockies in 2009 in the second-round, Arenado has hit well at every minor league level and may finally be ready to take over third base in Colorado next season.
Still just 20 years old, Arenado's bat has proven to be mature beyond his years as he led the organization with 122 RBIs in Single-A, adding 20 homeruns and a .298 batting average.
As an encore, he was named the MVP of the 2011 Arizona Fall League which included names like Bryce Harper, Mike Trout and Wil Myers.
If his success translates to the major league level, the Rockies may have one of the best left sides of the infield with the perenial All-Star Tulowitski and the up and coming Arenado.
3. Wilin Rosario (C)
*The Rockies appear ready to give Rosario the starting catching job very soon, a decision that was all but confirmed on Wednesday when the team traded starting backstop Chris Iannetta to the Angels for pitcher Tyler Chatwood.
While Colorado also signed catcher Ramon Hernandez to a short-term deal, Rosario may be kept on the major league roster in 2012 to spell the aging Hernandez a few times a week.
Rosario has been at the plate in the minors, but may be even more impressive behind the plate having thrown out 40.6 percent of potential basestealers last year.
In the friendly hitting confines of Coors field, Rosario could eventually be a catcher with the potential to hit 20-plus home runs a year while providing solid defense behind the dish.
Those qualities have Colorado very excited about his future and equally anxious to find out about his current capabilities for the big league club.
4. Tim Wheeler (OF)
*An extremely productive college player out of Sacramento State, Wheeler fell to 32nd overall in the 2009 draft but has proven to be one of the better hitters in the '09 class.
Last season was Wheeler's breakout year, hitting 33 home runs and driving in 86--he also stole 21 bases and finished with a .900 OPS en route to becoming a Texas League All-Star.
While he probably isn't in the Rockies plans for 2012, Wheeler's bat could force them to give him a look as a September call-up or potentially sooner if injuries arise.
Either way, Wheeler is likely to make his presence felt in Colorado in the very near future.
5. Kyle Parker (OF)
*A versatile athlete who is the only player to throw 20 touchdown passes and hit 20 home runs in Division I history, Parker chose baseball coming out of the University of Clemson and put up solid offensive numbers in Single-A last season.
In 445 at-bats, Parker hit .285 with 21 home runs and 95 RBIs in a favorable offensive park by minor league standards (Asheville).
If Parker can cut down on his 133 strikeouts as he climbs the minor league ladder, the Rockies could have another power bat in the outfield along with Wheeler set to arrive by 2013.
Projected 2013 Lineup:
2B Eric Young Jr.
CF Dexter Fowler
LF Carlos Gonzalez
SS Troy Tulowitzki
1B Jordan Pacheco
3B Nolan Arenado
C Wilin Rosario
RF Tim Wheeler
P (Pitchers Spot)
Projected 2013 Rotation:
1. Drew Pomeranz
2. Tyler Chatwood
3. Jhoulys Chacin
4. Alex White
5. Christian Friedrich/Tyler Matzek
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